News 06:00

BULLETIN 13 March 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa holds back the Madlanga reports
# A former Steinhoff auditor receives a two-million-rand fine
# And, a grade 9 learner is stabbed to death on school grounds

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says he will not release the interim report of the Madlanga commission yet, citing concerns it could endanger ongoing investigations and witnesses. He received the report in December and extended the second interim report to 29 May and the final report to 31 August. During his oral reply to questions in the National Assembly, Ramaphosa said the findings will be made public once the commission has completed its work:

Meanwhile, Ramaphosa has also assured Parliament that the recommendations of the Madlanga Commission will be implemented. The commission is investigating criminality, political interference, and corruption in the criminal justice system.  Ramaphosa said legal processes are already underway to arrest those implicated. He emphasised that the government is committed to acting on the commission’s findings to strengthen the rule of law:

# The former Steinhoff audit executive, Hein Odendaal, has been sentenced by the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court following his guilty plea. Odendaal received a two-million-rand fine, or four years in jail, plus an additional two-year suspended sentence and one year of correctional supervision. Hawks spokesperson Katlego Mogale says Odendaal failed to report fraud that led to false financial statements.  He is the fifth South African convicted in the long-running Steinhoff scandal.

# A Grade 9 learner from Badirile Secondary School in Khutsong, Carletonville, died after allegedly being stabbed by another learner on school grounds yesterday. According to the Gauteng Department of Education, a Grade 10 learner allegedly stabbed the Grade 9 boy during an altercation, causing severe injuries. The department’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona, says the injured learner succumbed to his injuries at a local medical facility:

# Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, says the regime will avenge the blood of those killed in US and Israeli attacks. He’s the successor to his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of the war on 28 February. In his first statement since becoming leader, Khamenei stated that the critical Strait of Hormuz will remain closed as a tool of pressure on the US and Israel. He reiterated that Iran is only targeting American bases in surrounding countries, insisting they must be closed.

# Rugby: Utility Springbok forward Deon Fourie hopes for a triumphant return to the Stormers in tomorrow’s United Rugby Championship match against the Bulls in Pretoria. This follows two years on the sidelines through injury, during which time he seriously considered retirement. The 39-year-old says he is very grateful to be back. He says his first objective is to get through the encounter at a packed Loftus Versfeld injury-free. The Stormers will rely on the veteran to help them beat the old foe after a three-game losing streak.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-73-cents and the euro at 19-rand-24-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-33-cents and Bitcoin trades at 70-thousand-140-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-86-dollars-42-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 98-dollars-58-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….